StarMaker: Karaoke + AutoTune Review

Bottom Line

StarMaker: Karaoke + AutoTune is a free
karaoke app available for both iOS and Android, though the iOS version appears
to work better. It combines singing with game-playing elements, letting you
earn points for hitting the right notes. You can also AutoTune your
performance, record it and share it through social media. The StarMaker music
catalogue includes hundreds of songs, but you must either pay or earn in-game
credits to access them.

Features

Pros

Can record and share videos

Includes game/competition elements

AutoTune effect

Hundreds of songs available

Cons

Android version is buggy

New songs are costly

Our Analysis

Specs

Setup and use

Works best on iOS. Ben Markton of Download.com describes the interface for the iOS version of this
app as "smooth and user-friendly." Other iOS users appear to agree,
as the app earns an overall rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 at the iTunes store.
However, Android users are less satisfied; in thousands of reviews, the app
earns only 3.8 stars out of 5. While many individual reviews are short or
unclear, it appears that the Android version has some bugs that prevent it from
recording smoothly. Many users complain of lagging, and others describe the
playback as "disjointed."

Durability

Must pay to play. The StarMaker karaoke song catalogue includes hundreds of titles, including
hits from popular artists like Miley Cyrus, Bruno Mars and the cast of "Glee."
However, while the app itself is free to download, song tracks must be
purchased with in-app credits. There are a few older songs available for 50 to
70 credits, but new and popular ones generally cost anywhere from 100 to 250.
You start with 70 credits -- barely enough for one song -- and can earn more by
playing the game successfully, by watching videos or by signing up for a
subscription, which will cost anywhere from $2 for one week to $25 for six
months.

UPC

N/A

MPN

N/A

Brand

StarMaker

Weight

N/A

Speakers

N/A

Compatible formats

iOS 6.0 or later, Android 4.1 or later

Auto voice control

N/A

Special effects

AutoTune

Output power

N/A

Built-in Screen

N/A

Audio/Video inputs and outputs

N/A

Microphones included

N/A

Music sources

Over 250 songs in catalogue; 70 credits included, songs cost 50-250 credits each; subscription costs $2 per week, $5 per month or $25 for 6 months; can also earn credits by watching videos or earning points in game

Our Sources

StarMaker: Karaoke + AutoTune is the only
karaoke app reviewed at Download.com, a CNET site. Ben Markton gives it 4 stars
out of 5, calling it "a
robust, feature-filled app that is a lot of fun." His biggest complaint is
that access to new song tracks is expensive.

Nathan Meunier
of MacLife magazine lists StarMaker: Karaoke + AutoTune as one
of his eight
favorite karaoke apps for iOS. He says the game aspect of the app is a "fun
twist," but his favorite part is "listening to played back recordings
of my badly auto-tuned voice."

Laura Myers of
GeekSugar.com (the tech-oriented subsection of the popular-culture blog
PopSugar.com) names StarMaker: Karaoke + AutoTune as one of the seven top karaoke apps. She notes
that it includes over 500 songs, but doesn't explain that you must pay extra to
access them.

Over
2,500 users have reviewed StarMaker: Karaoke + AutoTune at
Google Play, giving it an overall rating of 3.8 stars out of 5. Most of the
reviews are too short or too cryptic to be useful, but we gather that the
Android version of the app is buggy.

Reviews
for StarMaker: Karaoke + AutoTune at Apple's iTunes store
are much more positive than those on Google Play. The current version earns 4.5
stars out of 5 overall from roughly 75 users; earlier versions receive a
similar rating after more than 23,000 reviews.

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